Spring-operated self-closing receptacle



Jan. 17, 1928.

A. I. GONE ET A. 1656509 SPRING OPERATED SELF CLOSING RECEPTACLE Filed Jan. 6. 1926 Suoi nu;

Patented Jan. 17, i928.

UNITED STATESy PATENT FFI'CE. 1

ALFRED r. conn, or NEW YORK, n. Y., Ann CHARLES A. nantes, or Mon'rcLArn, NEW' JEnsEY; sein conn 4assrenon To saro mimos.

srariroornnri'rn Application ied January This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in spring-operated self-closing receptacles of the type having; a stationary perforated top wall or inner cover upon which is superimposed a perforated' rotatable cover, which latter cover `may be manually rotated so as to 'cause openings in both the covers to register and thus to open the .receptacle for receiving` or discharging` material, but which7 when the manual pressure is released, will, through the operation o'l' a spring, return to its normal position of closure, by throwing the openings out ot register. v

@ne of the objects of the invention .is to provide improved spring-oserating ineens and improved means ior positioning the spring in such a self-closing receptacle, and to generally simplify the spring-operated mechanism and the construction thereof so that tl e parts may be assembled economically and, to a large extent, inecl'ianically.

Additional objects,l advantages and teatures ci the invention are inherent in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of the parts, as will be better understood troni the following,l more detailed description and the accoinpanying drawings and claims.

rllhese drawings, wherein lilre reference characters .represent corresponding parte` throughout, present the iollowinp1 views:

'figrure l. fragmentary perspective viewishowing side and top ot a receptacle constructed in aizcordance with the present invention.

ligjure 2. it. top plan view ot the outer rotatable cover showing periforaizions there in, and showing by dotted lines openings in the top wall or inner-cover which is shown in the top plan view in Fig'ure'B, and indi` eating; a preferred position ofthe means in the outer cover by which the closure-operat-k iup; springl is engaged.

Figure .al top plan view ot the topwall oi' inner cover of the receptacle which is rion-iotatab1y attached to the side walls. slwwing a dei'ircssion therein in which the cloeiire-operating,` spring7 shown in Figure 5, is sunlr and the means whereby the said spring .is held in normal position bynar rowingh the said depressionat `the center, in one ot the ziiilaptutions oit' the principle of the invention.

SELF-CLOSING RECEPTACLE.

e, i926. semi' No. 79,507.

4Figure il top plan view of the stationary top wall or inner' cover of the receptacle indicating` another adaptation of providing means for holding the operatingspring in normal position, in accori'lance with rthe general principle of the invention.`

Figure 5. A vertical` sectional view, taken on the line o o oi Figure il in which the form of operatingspring, illustrated in Figure 6, is `shown in normal position, sunk into' and standing on edge in the depression shown in Figure et, along the` longitudinal direction ot the same, between the stationary top wall or inner cover and the outer rotatable cover, and indicating'the means whereby the said spring is held in normal position with respect to the top wall `or inner cover oi' the receptacle in accordance with the adaptation illustrated in Figure 3, and means whereby the rotatable cover is en gagged toward the ends of the spring.

Figure 6. A. preferred form of a spring, the general side plane contour of which is here made to correspond approximately with the form oi: a cross-section of the spiace between the two covers7 along the longitudinal direction or the said depression, and which y spring, when placed vin position betweentlie two covers shown in Figure 9 l) cover and the spring-'engaging means provided by the rotatable..outerA cover in the manner illustrated in Figure 5.1 l, i

The receptacle constructed in accordance with the invention' herein described may be made of any preferred design or general form of outline as may beibestsuited for the particularpurpose for which it may be intended, .and it may be constructed of any desired material which is suitable for a vehicle of the` material tobe contained therein.` in' lgeneral, it may be stated that, for the smaller receptacles` used for 'holding and dispensing toilet powders and the like, whicliare usedin large numbersand which are thrown away aftertliey have been once loe emptied and wlierethe cost yof construction are very pliable `and can be readily stamped `vided with a top Wall-orA inner cover 9, as

shown in Figures 3 and 4, wliichis ixedly or non-rotatably attached at its outer margin to the Lipper end of `the receptacle body l.

A depression, as exemplifiedfin Figures 3 and 4 by 5 and 5 respectively, is stamped, pressed, or otherwise formed, in this top -Wall or `iiinercovcr 9, which depression o or 5 may have the general outline asshoivn in Figure 3 or in Figure -,or any other general form of outline as may be suitable for the particular `receptacle to be constructed and the material `from which the top Wall or inner cover may be made. Then a highly ductile or easily moldable material is used, which vvill readilyflend itself to pressing', stamping, or molding into any shape, the hour-glass form of` depression, as shown in Figure 3, ispreferable ior moi'e economically providing the holding means 6 for the spring 7. `This adaptation is also tobe pre ferred when itis desired to have a larger areao Contact between the inner aspect o-t the outer rotatable cover 2 and the top ivall or inner cover 9, andA to permit a greater number of registrable pci'torations to be made in the contacting covers. In tliehourglassiorm of depression 5, as shown in Figure 3, the means for holding the spring 7 in operative position is provided by the side Walls 6 of the narrow part oi the depression. Otherwisethegeneral outline ot depression in theltop Wall 9.1nay be made in any suitableor convenient" form, as, for instance, in the form as shoivn in Figure 4.

The depressions 5` and `5","as illustrated in Figuresfl and, it vvill be understood, represent broadly extremes oit a number otpossible `utilitarian"adaptations as to the outlines of the side` ivallsof j the depression.` Y For instance, these side valls `may be curved so as to contorni `substantially to the curve of the spring 7 wheniully tensed, and this curvature will depend uponythe strength oiz the spring, the relative i positionsfot the spring-holding means, 6, 6', of the top-wall or inner coverl) "and the position of the spring-engaging means, 8, ofthe oiiterrotatable cover 2 relativeto the saidholding means 6, `6', in the topwall or innercover, and tothe extreme end of the spring It is clearthereliore thatmany adaptations of the principle of thisinvention maybe emmeans 6 or 6 igor receiving,r and holding the said spring 7 in normal position along the` longitudinal direction, c. fr-o oi llie depression D, o', and means l5 i'or engaging at. least one ot the movable endsoit this springv ivith the rotatable cover E2 so that, when the latter is rotated, lateral pressure will be exei'cised upon the said spring; T by a manual rotating' torce applied to the rotatable cover and so that the rotatable cover will be caused to return to the normal position o l" closure when this manual pressure is relieved, through the lateral tension ot the spring 7.

inthe ,best adaptation oi the principle ol the invention, the width oll tliedcpi'ession 5, 5', at the end nearest the margin ol the cover should be such as to allow` enough an plitude o t motion lor the rotatable cover E and the actuating spring? to permit the openings 3 and el ot the tivo covers to register perfectly. It will be readily seen that this amplitude ot rotation will be limited by the Width of the outer end or ends oi. the depression wherein the movable end ol the spring and the spring-engaging means in the rotatable cover move to and 'fro and come iii contact ivitlithe Walls of the depression.

In the adaptation illust-rated in Figure it, the means tor holding;- the spring' in normal position cons' ts ot a set of upwardly pro jecting pins or popje `i lii'nilr anchored `iii the depressed portion of thetop wall or iulier cover. Similarly theouler or rotatable cover is provided with downwardly project ingpins or pegs S in such relative position that when this outer rotatable :cover is placed in its proper iiiositioii upon the ieiizeptacle and rotated the r ally.

For the purpose ot facilitating; the assimiblage oithe parts, and to insure greater acspi'ingr" will be tensed laterciiracy in bringing the parts into proper relation, especially `when the work of assembling' is done by mechanical ineens, `lor iustance, the followingr additional features "oli construction as `to the plane contour oli' the spring Las to the means (l or for receivingr and holding the saine in position `Witliin'tlie depression of the top wall or inner cover 9, and as to the means S 'For engaging `it with the outer or rotatable cover are 4to be noted. `The spring 7 maybe made of any suitable thickness and width and in any Tll @gli

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Lesiones :term that is adapted to be held in normal position by the holdingl means (3, 6, ot the topwall or inner cover andto be `positivelyr engaged by themei'ins'provided 'lor that Vpurpose on the inner aspect of `the outer part oit the depression 6:. when the holding means in the top wall or inner cover is employed7 substantially as illustrated in Figure is made slightly wider at the top, so that `the lower edge of the spring 7v will more readily drop into its normal position within the contines ot the narrow channel G. The plane contour ot the spring is preferably iiiadc to contorni to thevoutline ot the longitudinal cross-section of the space formed by the depression 5 or 5 and the outer 'cover 2 in order to give to 'the spring the maximum 'of power to hold it more snugly iii place. rind so also the downwardly extending pegs 8 anchored on the inner aspect or' the outer rotatable cover are slightly diverged at the 'tree ends iliereoiE to Aitacilitate proper engage nient of the upper edge ofthe spring by the outer rotatable cover when the saine is placed in position on the top ot" the receptacle.A

These detailed tentures are not essential ior making the device etliective tor its mager objects, as will be apparent troni thel descrip` tion ot the invention herein7 but involve relinenients oit construction'for the purposes stated.

ft will thus be seen that when the 'parts are suitably asseii'ibled, the closure-actuating spring 7 is snugly housed within the space hetv een the two covers and 9 without inter-tering with their close contactingl at all other points and also without itself coming' into contaetfwith the substance contained within the body oi the receptacle, thus per# mit ng the t'ree itunctioning oit the spring without-'any clogging to prevent tlie'spring from returningI to Aits normal position when 1he pressure thereon is released'.

is evident that the depression v5 or 5 may be inade relatively deep or shallow. depending(upon the requirements of the particular construction, suoli as the amount of ring power required. It will alsobe appare t that the number ot registi-able open` in 's el the two covers may be varied as re quired. ln the particular embodiment ot the invention villustrated :in the drawings, the outer cover is shown to have two openings det-ail of the construction iiiay also be readily altered in such a manner that the openings ran be made to register only by rotating the outer cover in one direction only. This it will be `readily understood can be easily accomplished by altering somewhat the normal position of the, spring T with respect to the limiting margins ot 'the channel or de-` pression in the top wall or inner cover, oi"

by. narrowing the width of one or the other f sido of the depression so as to decrease the amplitude of the possible movement ot the spring and the rotatable outer cover in one direction.

Qbviously also the top wall may be alixed part of the receptacle, firmly soldered or clamped to the side walls7 or it may be reniovably attached to such side walls in the form oit a cover so long as it is not rotatable.

Obviously also the length of theclosure operating spring may be varied relative to the diameter ot the covers and kso also the means 'tor holding the springl in its normalv position y`ith respect to the lined top wall or inner cover may be positioned more or less oil center and away from either end ofthe operating spring. Furthermore, it is clearly not necessary that more than one end oi the spring 7 be engaged by therotating cover. However7 to iiisurelinore positive action by the springl it is more desirable to engage both the )resent invention and it is also to be 7 understood that the. specific forms and ar` rangements as shown iii` the Adiawiiigs and the special examples of the adaptation ot the principle of this invention to one particulas torni ot receptacle or canister are given by f way of illustration and not byway of limitation. It is believed that the ciiiistiuction and operation of tliedeviee will now be fully understood Ylrom the foregoing description,

and it is intended' that various changes in mere detail of construction' are contemplated as will Ytall within the scope oi'' the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Vilhat is claimed as-new is n l. il self-closing receptacle comprising a coi'itainerbody, a non-rotatable top wall or inner cover having downward depression running` along a transverse line thereof, a'

rotatable outericover superimposed upon and contacting with said 'top wallor inner cover,

both of said covers" beingpertorated, the

perfor-ations being so disposed that they can be laused to register by the rotation of the lill) llU and means attached tothe rotatable outer cover for engaging at least one free cud of y said spring.

2. A selffclosing receptacle comprising a container body, a non-rotatable top wall or nner `cover having a downward depression ruiming along a transverse line thereof, a rotatable outer cover superimposed upon and contacting with said top wall or inner cover, both of said covers being perforated, the

pertorations beingl so disposed that they can be caused to register by the rotation of the said outer cover in either direction with respeet to the said top wall or inner cover; a spring held in normal position by holding means within the said depression in the top wall or inner cover, and means attachedto the rotatable outer cover for engaging at least one free end of said spring.

A self-closing receptacle comprising a container body, a non-,rotatable top wall or inner cover having a downward depression running along a transverse linethereof, a rotatable outer cover superimposed upon and contacting with said `top wall or inner cover, both of said covers being perforated, the perforations being so disposed thatthey can be caused tov register by the rotation of the said outer cover with respect tothe said top wall or inner cover; a fiat spring held in normal position on edge by holding means within the said depression in the top wall or inner cover, and means attached to the rotatable outer cover for engaging y at least one free end ofsald spring. i i

il. A self-closing` receptacleY comprising a container body, a non-rotatable top wall or inner cover having a downward depression running along a )transverse line thereo't, al

rotatable outer cover superinnniised `upon andA contacting with said top 'all or inner cover,

both ot said covers `being perforattal,.the

i'ierforations,being so disliosed that they can be caused to register by the rotation ot the said outer cover with respect to the said top wall `or inner cover; a fiat spring held in` normal position on edge by holding meanswvith,

inthe said depression intbe'itop wall or inner cover, and means attached to the rofi tatable outer cover for engaging atleast one free end et said spring, the said spring hav# ing a plane` contour.1 conforming substantiallytoV the configuration ofapcrosssection ot the space between the said covers occupied by it. y

5. A self-closing receptacle comprising a container body, a non-rotatable topvwall or inner cover having a downwardV depression running along a transverse line thereof, a rotatable outer coversuperimposed upon and contacting with said top wall or inner cover,

both of said covers being perforated, the

pertorations being `so disposed that they can be caused to register by the rotation ot.' the said outer `cover with respect to` the said topwall or inner cover; a fiat spring held in normal position on edge by holding means within the said depression in the top wall or inner cover, and means attached tothe rotatable outer cover for engaging at least one free end of said spring, the said spring being bevelled downwardly at least at one end thereof.

6. A self-closing receptacle comprising a container body, a noni-rotatable top wall or inner cover having a` downward depression running along a transverse line thereof, a rotatable outer cover superimposed upon and contacting with said top wall or inner cover, both ot'` said covers being perforated, the pertorations being so disposed that they can becansed to register by the rotation of the said outer cover with respect to the said top wall or innercover; a flat spring held in normal position on edge by holding means within the said depression in the top wall or inner cover, and means attached to the rotatable outer cover for engaging at least one free end of said spring, thesaid springengaging means of the rotatable outer cover at least consisting of downwardly divcrging tines straddling the upper edge ot' the spring.

Sti

7. A self-closing receptacle comprising a. y

-the perforations being so disposed that they cany be caused to register by the rotation ot' the said outer coverwith respect to the said top wall or inner cover; a tlat spring held in normal position on edge by holding means withinthe said depression in the top wall or inner cover, and means attaclled to the rotatable outer cover tor engaging at least one freejend of said spring, the said springengaging means `ot the top wall or inner cover being formed by narrowing side walls of the said depression into which the spring has been sunl. f i i 8. A spring-operatedl self-closing shaker receptacle comprising a container body with a nonrotat-able top-wall or inner cover, l1aving a downward depression or channel running -alongja transverse line thereof, anda rotatable outer cover superimposed `upon and contacting with said top wall or inner cover, both of said covers being perforated, both sets of perforations lying normally in a position of closure, but being so disposed that some of the perforations at least can be caused to register by the rotation of the said outercoverwithrespect to the said top wall. or inner cover; an operating spring, lying tetable Covera and the limiting side Wall of the Seid depression or channel being so ds- `10 posed with reference to each other este mt the amplitude of motion of the outer rotatable cover and the Spring'.

ALFRED I. GONE.

CHARLES A. DARIUS. 

